Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 suppresses tumor growth and metastasis of human osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignancy of bone. There is a critical need to identify the events that lead to the poorly understood mechanism of OS development and metastasis. The goal of this investigation is to identify and characterize a novel marker of OS progression. We have established and characterized a highly metastatic OS subline that is derived from the less metastatic human MG63 line through serial passages in nude mice via intratibial injections. Microarray analysis of the parental MG63, the highly metastatic MG63.2 subline, as well as the corresponding primary tumors and pulmonary metastases revealed insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) to be one of the significantly downregulated genes in the metastatic subline. Confirmatory quantitative RT-PCR on 20 genes of interest demonstrated IGFBP5 to be the most differentially expressed and was therefore chosen to be one of the genes for further investigation. Adenoviral mediated overexpression and knockdown of IGFBP5 in the MG63 and MG63.2 cell lines, as well as other OS lines (143B and MNNG/HOS) that are independent of our MG63 lines, were employed to examine the role of IGFBP5. We found that overexpression of IGFBP5 inhibited in vitro cell proliferation, migration and invasion of OS cells. Additionally, IGFBP5 overexpression promoted apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. In an orthotopic xenograft animal model, overexpression of IGFBP5 inhibited OS tumor growth and pulmonary metastases. Conversely, siRNA-mediated knockdown of IGFBP5 promoted OS tumor growth and pulmonary metastases in vivo. Immunohistochemical staining of patient-matched primary and metastatic OS samples demonstrated decreased IGFBP5 expression in the metastases. These results suggest 1) a role for IGFBP5 as a novel marker that has an important role in the pathogenesis of OS, and 2) that the loss of IGFBP5 function may contribute to more metastatic phenotypes in OS.

The effect of egg yolk oil in the healing of third degree burn wound in rats.

BACKGROUND: Burn injury is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. A domestic medication in wound healing, preventing infection and reduction of scar tissue as well as availability is still an important challenge. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of yolk egg oil in treatment of burn wounds in rats. METHODS: A standard 3rd degree burn wound was produced and the animals were divided into three groups according to topical treatment including yolk oil, 1% silver sulfadiazine (SSD) and control. In days 7, 14 and 30,animal's weight, wound size, as well as histopathological findings of skin were evaluated in different groups. RESULTS: Average size of wound after 7 days was 3.4, 5.3, and 6.7 cm in yolk oil, SSD and control groups. There were significant differences between yolk oil and the other groups in this aspect. The wound size of yolk egg group was also significantly smaller than other groups in 14th and 30th days. Results of the histological studies indicated significant differences between yolk oil, SSD and control groups on day 30, with mean score of 3.75, 3.5 and 2.8 respectively. The difference between yolk oil and the other groups was significant. CONCLUSION: Yolk oil-treated burned animals showed abundant re-epithelialization without tissue scar in comparison with SSD group. Although the egg yolk has many vital nutrients, but its exact mechanism in healing process is unknown. Therefore, further studies evaluating the influence of individual components on burn-healing process is advised.

[Contribution of the study of evolution of major electrolytes contents in the aqueous humour by X-ray fluorescence and ICP/AES]. / Contribution a l'etude de l'evolution de la teneur des electrolytes majeurs dans l'humeur aqueuse par fluorescence x et ICP/AES.

INTRODUCTION: In the scope of this study, we had to do a qualitative and quantitative research of the current electrolytes as part of aqueous humour samples taken from patients suffering from cataract. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The tests were carried out by X-ray fluorescence and ICP/AES. The detection limit for the electrolytes varied from 0.005 to 0.1 ppm. RESULTS: The test results show iron (minimum 0.82ppm; maximum 25.50ppm), copper (0.28ppm; 8.17ppm), brome (5.18 ppm ; 55.82ppm), zinc (0.70ppm ; 9.78ppm ), sodium (1274.83ppm, 5211.67 ppm), potassium (55.52ppm ; 255.02ppm), calcium (26.46 ppm ; 256.81ppm), magnesium (5.77ppm; 70.33ppm). CONCLUSION: The data study have enabled us to establish reference value for each electrolyte. Study of the comparative reference values, together with the contents found in the normal aqueous humour, the normal and pathologic crystalline lens, has shown a noticeably low concentration of electrolytes and breakdown of the sodium/potassium pump which ensures ionic exchange between aqueous humour and the crystalline lens.

Uptake of cesium, strontium and europium by a poly(sodium acrylate-acrylic acid) hydrogel.

The uptake of cesium, strontium and europium from dilute nitric acid solutions by a poly(sodium acrylate-acrylic acid) PAA hydrogel has been investigated. pH variations are consistent with cation exchange processes: COO(-), Na (+)H (+), COO(-), Na (+)M (m+) ( M (m+) = Cs (+)and Sr (2+)) and COOH Eu (3+). Saturation of the gel is achieved for metal/carboxylate ratios R = 0.5. The swelling ratios of gels loaded with metal cations are those of uncharged, shrunk gels (Sr, Eu) or of charged, swollen gels (Cs) in agreement with the formation of uncharged (COO)(2)Sr, (COO)(2)EuX (X = NO(3) or OH) type complexes and (COO(-), Cs(+)) ion pairs. The metal cations are extracted in the gels following the order of their affinities with carboxylic groups Eu(3+) > Sr(2+) > Cs(+). An increase of the ionic strength of the metal aqueous solution up to 0.5M NaNO(3) leads to slightly decrease the europium uptake by the PAA hydrogel, but 0.1M NaNO(3) is sufficient to prevent the Sr and Cs extractions.

Effect of manganese on the development of glial cells cultured from prenatally alcohol exposed rats.

Maternal alcohol abuse is known to produce retardation in brain maturation and brain functions. Using cultured glial cells as a model system to study these effects of alcohol we found an alcohol antagonizing property for manganese (Mn). Mn was added to the alcohol diet (MnCl2 25 mg/l of 20% v/v ethanol) of pregnant rats. Glial cells were cultured during 4 weeks from cortical brain cells of pups born to these mothers. Several biochemical parameters were examined: protein levels, enzymatic markers of glial cell maturation (enolase and glutamine synthetase), superoxide dismutase a scavenger of free radicals produced during alcohol degradation. The results were compared to appropriate controls. A beneficent effect of Mn was observed for the pups weight which was no more significantly different from the control values. Protein levels, enolase and glutamine synthetase activities were increased mainly during the proliferative period when Mn was added to the alcohol diet compared to the only alcohol treated animals. This Mn effect was not found for superoxide dismutase in cultured glial cells but exists in the total brain of the 2 week-old offspring. In the total 2 and 4 week-old brain the alcohol induced decrease of enolase and glutamine synthetase was also antagonized by the Mn supplementation. Our data suggest that Mn may act as a factor overcoming at least partially some aspects of alcohol induced retardation of nerve cell development.

Simultaneous determination of trace elements in lavage fluids from human bronchial alveoli by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence. 3. Routine analysis.

We applied the energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence technique to determination of trace elements in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. Our analysis of more than 200 samples allowed us to determine normal reference values, to be used in characterizing occupational exposure. These values are expressed both in nanograms per 1000 cells (of all kinds) and nanograms per 1000 macrophages to correlate lavage efficiency and dust content of the alveoli. The result expressed in milligrams per liter is not sufficient, because some healthy volunteers showed high concentrations of iron but normal values when expressed vs the number of cells. Some examples of abnormal compositions of broncho-alveolar lavages are reported and the fully automated spectrometer developed for clinical and biological investigations is described.

Simultaneous determination of trace elements in lavage fluids from human bronchial alveoli by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence. 2: Determination of abnormal lavage contents and verification of the results.

We applied energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence to the determination of abnormally present elements or abnormal concentrations of elements in human broncho-alveolar lavage fluids. The low detection limits and the ability to perform multi-elemental analysis permit one to establish or confirm occupational exposure of workers. We also describe different methods used to check our method and our results. We report examples of abnormal compositions of broncho-alveolar lavages containing W, Ce, La, Nd, I, Fe, or Ni. We discuss the limits of the method for characterizing silicosis or asbestosis.

Simultaneous determination of trace elements in lavage fluids from human bronchial alveoli by energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence. 1: Technique and determination of the normal reference interval.

We have applied energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence to the analysis of broncho-alveolar lavage fluids, to determine the concentration of several elements simultaneously with manipulation of the sample minimized. A 20-microL sample of a homogenized lavage fluid, to which two internal standards (containing Y and V) have been added, is deposited on a polypropylene film, 4 microns in thickness, and analyzed by x-ray fluorescence. We report the analytical procedure, the detection limits, and the reproducibility. The normal concentration range for trace elements is reported for a selected population. The simplicity and rapidity of the method, and the possibility of automating measurements, make this procedure suitable for screening large numbers of lavage specimens and to establish the diagnosis of some pneumoconioses.

Simultaneous determination of trace elements in serum by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

Energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence is applied in the analysis of human serum to determine the concentrations of several elements simultaneously with minimal manipulation of the sample. The analytical procedure has been developed with standard sera, and standardization, detection limits, and reproducibility have been established. A 50-microL sample of diluted serum, to which an internal standard has been added, is deposited on a thin (4-microns thick) polypropylene film and analyzed by x-ray fluorescence. We report the statistical distributions of the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Br obtained in the population (103 samples) studied, and report detection limits for the other 22 elements studied. The simplicity of the method, the high throughput, and the possibility of automating the measurements make this procedure suitable for screening large numbers of sera.